Birmingham MP calls on London midland to improve train services following rail fare increase of 1.9%

Following the announcement that rail fares are set to rise by 1.9% in January 2017, Steve McCabe MP has written to London Midland boss to ask that the train operator make serious improvements to their service, particularly on increasing passenger capacity.

On 16 August the government announced that regulated rail fares in England and Wales will rise by 1.9% in January 2017, in line with July’s Retail Price Index measure of inflation.

This rise comes amid concerns from constituents and commuters across Birmingham about the level of service they are paying for. Constituents have told Steve that trains on London Midland’s Cross City line are often delayed and carriages are so packed it is difficult to get off the trains.

The MP has also tabled a Parliamentary Question to ask if the government are considering delaying the rail fare increase given the concerns about the economy following the decision to leave the EU.

Steve McCabe MP said:

“Many of my constituents and people across Birmingham use London Midland service to get to and from work and they are telling me the service is just not good enough. Constituents say they are packed into the trains like sardines and it is not always possible to get to the doors in time for their stop.

“Obviously the annual rise in rail fares is set by the Government based on inflation but it seems ludicrous that commuters are paying more and more each year for a service that isn’t improving or is getting worse. I want to hear what plans London Midland have to improve their services, particularly on the Cross City line which is so well used in Birmingham.

“I also think the government ought to seriously consider putting this increase on hold given the serious post-Brexit concerns on the economy as evidenced by the actions of the Bank of England Last week.